Internet tibetan prayer wheel

Abstract

An internet Tibetan prayer wheel and method of operation are disclosed. The device contains a Tibetan prayer wheel, an electric motor, a motor controller and a power supply. The motor controller is connected to a personal computer. The personal computer is connected to the internet through standard means. A remote computer on the internet sends a wheel turning signal to a server. The signal is later received by the personal computer to which the Tibetan prayer wheel is attached, causing the Tibetan prayer wheel to turn. The device enables creation of an internet web site where visitors may turn remotely-sited prayer wheels.

I claim,  
     
         1 . A Tibetan prayer wheel turned by a computer-controlled electric motor.  
     
     
         2 . A Tibetan prayer wheel as in  claim 1  which is controlled by a computer that participates in a network of computers.  
     
     
         3 . A Tibetan prayer wheel as in  claim 2  which is controlled by a remote computer in a network of computers.  
     
     
         4 . A Tibetan prayer wheel as in  claim 2  where the network of computers in which the controlling computer participates is the internet.  
     
     
         5 . A method of operating a Tibetan prayer wheel as in  claim 4  comprising the steps of: 
 [a], presenting an internet web site where visitors may express a desire to turn a remote Tibetan prayer wheel;  
 [b], operating software which detects when a web site visitor expresses a desire to turn a wheel;  
 [c], operating software which receives turn invocations from a server computer and causes a prayer wheel to turn.